Please Support My Work

If you found this blog useful, please consider supporting my work by using the affiliate links below to register. I personally use all the services linked below.

 

iHerb - Buy low cost essential vitamin supplements, like Vitamin D, Manesium, Zinc with iHerb Maintain a Healthy Life.

 

Mt. Pelerin -  buy and cash out Bitcoin with your own Self-custody wallet, low fees and no KYC required for smal

BITCOIN RESERVE - Buy Bitcoin and safely Self-Custody it with Bitcoin Reserve

 

BINANCE - Buy Bitcoin on the World's Largest Custodial Exchange with your Debit or Credit Card or Bank Transfer

 

BITTREX - Buy Bitcoin on a Reputed Custodial Exchange with your Debit or Credit Card or Bank Transfer with Bittrex

MEGA STORAGE - Signup to MEGA Storage - 20GB Free - Best value for money storage where you hold access to your Keys

 

VPN - Signup to SmartDNS with my referral link - Watch GeoBlocked Free TV

 

IBKR - Signup for IBKR, US Based World's Lowest Cost ETFs and Stocks Brokerage

Citibank UAE - Simple Cashback Credit Cards

Both of us will get free statement credit.

 

 

RUMBLE - Signup to Rumble and be Watch Content from Free Thinkers

 

Fountain.FM - Join the podcast app that pays you in Bitcoin to "Listen" and Pay Creators for their fair work

Sign up to a new Microsoft OneDrive account and get 0.5GB Extra Free Storage

How to Wire to your offshore brokerage account?

1. Direct from bank - Most convenient and Private

1a: Best FX rate with no wire fees, if you have a Premium/Priority/Gold/(insert fancy adjective) banking relationship. This usually is the fastest and most private and frictionless.

1b: Most expensive for regular bank account holders, but still fastest and easiest. Provided bank doesn't cause AML hassles.

2. Via Local Money Exchanges - Takes time and additional KYC/AML docs required. Third parties involved. Counterparty Risk.
2a: Either direct from exchange to your brokerage.
2b: Or Via Exchange to get the best FX rate sent to your USD account to wire forward to your brokerage if your bank waives international wire fees. If the exchange has AML issues.

3. Trusted party - Use a trusted friend with a premium banking relationship to convert at low-cost and wire back to your account, provided you already have a USD/EUR account to wire forward to broker. Preferably on the same banking network, else, intermediary charges may apply.

4. FinTech Companies - Revolut, CurrencyFair or TransferWise are still experimental -- Your mileage may vary.

Global Brokerage Account Options

Since nothing is certain in the long run. It's best to have backup brokerage accounts. In case your primary provider is impacted by regulatory and, or financial changes.

These are our "larger" options, for non-US residents, to my knowledge.

No Minimum Balance
Toledo Trade - US Domiciled
https://www.toledotrade.com/

No Minimum Balance
Zacks Trade - US Domiciled
https://www.zackstrade.com/

100k USD - No minimum Balance Enforced
Interactive Brokers - US Domiciled
https://www.interactivebrokers.com

25k USD Minimum - US Securities only
Charles Schwab International - US/UK Domiciled
https://international.schwab.com

Bank Based Brokerages - Higher Trading & Custody Fees

No Minimum Balance

SwissQuote - Swiss Domiciled
https://en.swissquote.com/

2500 USD Minimum
Saxo Bank - Denmark Domiciled
https://www.home.saxo

Saxo Bank - Singapore Domiciled
https://www.home.saxo/en-sg

10k USD to 200k USD balance requirements:

HSBC Invest Direct - Jersey Domociled
https://www.expat.hsbc.com/wealth/investments/products/shares/

HSBC Invest Direct - Canada Domociled
https://www.hsbc.ca/investments/investdirect/

Citibank UAE e-Brokerage - DIFC Domiciled
https://www.citibank.ae/uae/consumer/investment_treasury/ebrokerage.htm

Citibank Singapore - Singapore Domiciled
https://www.citibank.com.sg/gcb/investments/brokerage.htm

Citibank USA - USA Domiciled
https://www.ipbus.citi.com

Global Offshore Bank Account Options

Note, minimum balance can be in an invested amount as well. Since some banks (Swissquote, Citi and HSBC) have DIY brokerages available as well. Not just cash, which loses value quickly.

0 balance - Optional Debit card with yearly fee
Swissquote 
Switzerland 
https://www.swissquote.ae/

4k GBP - High debit card fees
Standard Bank
Isle of Man 
https://international.standardbank.com/

50k GBP
HSBC Expat - Some countries not supported.
Jersey 
https://www.expat.hsbc.com/1/2/

200k USD - No debit card fees
Citigold USA 
http://www.citibank.com/citigoldinternational/homepage/content/english/index.html200 USD charge per year if balance not maintained.

Citigold UK 
https://www.ipb.citibank.co.uk/citigold/index.htm

Citigold Singapore 
https://www.ipb.citibank.com.sg/english/citigold/index.htm